Frozen anchovies recalled due to threat of neurotoxin

A range of imported frozen anchovies has been recalled due to the presence of a marine biotoxin.

The affected US products were branded SeaWave anchovies and sold in 10kg packs at a small number of supermarkets and specialty stores.

Food Safety’s Acting Deputy Director-General Claire McDonald said: "Testing of the product has found the presence of domoic acid, a neurotoxin produced by certain algae that can cause amnesic shellfish poisoning in humans.

“These products should not be eaten. You can return them to the place of purchase for a refund. If that’s not possible, throw it out.”

Food Safety advised that symptoms of such poisoning were mainly gastrointestinal, especially at low toxin levels. "These usually appear within 24 hours of eating and may include vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.

"In more serious cases there can be neurological symptoms. These can take up to 3 days to develop and can range from headaches and dizziness to memory loss and, for severe cases, coma."

New Zealand Food Safety said it had not received any notifications of associated illness.

For more information, and a list of stores where the anchovies were sold, go to the NZ Food Safety recalls and complaints page.